Women of the World was formed to bring women musicians from across the globe onto a common platform to collaborate and create through the sharing of music, to explore and celebrate the differences in ideologies and cultural tenets that exist in the daily lives of women all over the world.
Ayumi Ueda, a Berklee College of Music alumna from Japan, sought to create a multicultural ensemble that not only crossed boundaries musically, but one that was also committed to the daily practice of peace in their daily interactions. Ayumi joined forces with like-minded vocal artists, Giorgia Renosto from Italy, Annette Philip from India, and Debo Ray from USA/Haiti to manifest this vision.
The Women of the World repertoire is thus, vast and varied. Constantly searching for new genres to explore, the group has performed in 37 languages (and counting) including Bulgarian, Cuban, Ladino, Brazilian, Turkish, Kenyan, Haitian, Indian, Italian and Japanese music.
In many ways, the ensemble is a microcosm of the world. Each of the musicians has a strong artistic identity shaped by the culture in which they grew up, and each finds endless excitement in learning and exploring the many cultures of the world. The unique music which stems forth from this cross-pollination of genres, rhythms and global sounds is thus borderless and spirited, carrying the undeniable message of unity.
Through their work, Women of the World created a stir in the community, receiving support from renowned artists such as Grammy-award winning maestro, Bobby McFerrin. They went on to share the stage with African vocal icon, Angelique Kidjo, LaBelle powerhouse, Nona Hendryx, as well as the Boston Pops Orchestra led by conductor Keith Lockhart.
2019 quartet winners at the Moscow Spring Acappella Festival, 2018 winners of the Ward Swingle Award at VokalTotal (Graz, Germany), 2017 world champions of the International A Cappella competition OPEN by Varsity Vocals, 2014 Harmony Sweepstakes National champions, nominees of the 2013 Boston Music Awards and 2014 Independent Music Awards, Women of the World has extensively toured North America, Europe and Asia.
Women of the World continues to serve as cultural ambassadors of peace and unity through music and has delighted audiences at venues like Carnegie Hall, Blue Note Jazz Club, Boston Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theater as well as through collaborations with the United Nations, amongst others. They have released 3 albums: Koloro (2012), Makana (2016) Live (2017)
Channeling the power of collective action, Women of the World has brought together over 200 women from all over the globe believing in their music, in their bond as a family of artists, and in peace.
Awards / Competitions
2019 Moscow Spring A Cappella Festival
1st place - Small vocal ensemble category
Moscow, Russia
2018 Vokal.Total - International A Cappella Competition
1st place - Jazz Category, Ward Swingle Award
Graz, Austria
2017 The International Championship of A CAPPELLA Open by Varsity Vocals
1st place & Audience Award
Carnegie Hall, New York City, USA
2014 The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival
1st place & Audience Award
San Francisco, CA, USA
2014 Independent Music Awards (Nomination for best world music song, “Dere Na” written by Annette Philip
2013 Boston Music Awards (Nomination for best world music act)
Collaborations
United Nations
UN Women
Vital Voices
CARE international
Plan International
Women's Refugee Commission
TEDxBoston
WGBH
Tours & notable performances
2020 / 2021 - UpcomingVOICES - Take 6 & Women of the World
**presented by Ed Keane Associates, this new project will be announced for the first time at the 2019 Western Arts Alliance conference
Japan Tour
** June 2020
ASUKA II World Cruise
** June - Iceland to NYC residency
European Tour (Spain, Italy, Russia & Germany)
** April & May by Livekonzepte Michael Köstner - Eventagentur - dates & venues TBD
A CAPPELLA LIVE! - American tour
** January to April by Columbia Artists - dates & information https://bit.ly/2KFu5ob
2019
Italy, Venice tour (October)
Newport Jazz Festival - (August 2nd)
Russia Acappella Festival (May)
German tour - under Livekonzepte Michael Köstner - Eventagentur (May)
China tour - under Knudsen Productions (March)
Japan - Utagoe Festival - Todoroki Arena (6,500 seats sold out), Kawasaki, Japan (January)
Ayumi Ueda, a Berklee College of Music alumna from Japan, sought to create a multicultural ensemble that not only crossed boundaries musically, but one that was also committed to the daily practice of peace in their daily interactions. Ayumi joined forces with like-minded vocal artists, Giorgia Renosto from Italy, Annette Philip from India, and Debo Ray from USA/Haiti to manifest this vision.
The Women of the World repertoire is thus, vast and varied. Constantly searching for new genres to explore, the group has performed in 37 languages (and counting) including Bulgarian, Cuban, Ladino, Brazilian, Turkish, Kenyan, Haitian, Indian, Italian and Japanese music.
In many ways, the ensemble is a microcosm of the world. Each of the musicians has a strong artistic identity shaped by the culture in which they grew up, and each finds endless excitement in learning and exploring the many cultures of the world. The unique music which stems forth from this cross-pollination of genres, rhythms and global sounds is thus borderless and spirited, carrying the undeniable message of unity.
Through their work, Women of the World created a stir in the community, receiving support from renowned artists such as Grammy-award winning maestro, Bobby McFerrin. They went on to share the stage with African vocal icon, Angelique Kidjo, LaBelle powerhouse, Nona Hendryx, as well as the Boston Pops Orchestra led by conductor Keith Lockhart.
2019 quartet winners at the Moscow Spring Acappella Festival, 2018 winners of the Ward Swingle Award at VokalTotal (Graz, Germany), 2017 world champions of the International A Cappella competition OPEN by Varsity Vocals, 2014 Harmony Sweepstakes National champions, nominees of the 2013 Boston Music Awards and 2014 Independent Music Awards, Women of the World has extensively toured North America, Europe and Asia.
Women of the World continues to serve as cultural ambassadors of peace and unity through music and has delighted audiences at venues like Carnegie Hall, Blue Note Jazz Club, Boston Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theater as well as through collaborations with the United Nations, amongst others. They have released 3 albums: Koloro (2012), Makana (2016) Live (2017)
Channeling the power of collective action, Women of the World has brought together over 200 women from all over the globe believing in their music, in their bond as a family of artists, and in peace.
Awards / Competitions
2019 Moscow Spring A Cappella Festival
1st place - Small vocal ensemble category
Moscow, Russia
2018 Vokal.Total - International A Cappella Competition
1st place - Jazz Category, Ward Swingle Award
Graz, Austria
2017 The International Championship of A CAPPELLA Open by Varsity Vocals
1st place & Audience Award
Carnegie Hall, New York City, USA
2014 The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival
1st place & Audience Award
San Francisco, CA, USA
2014 Independent Music Awards (Nomination for best world music song, “Dere Na” written by Annette Philip
2013 Boston Music Awards (Nomination for best world music act)
Collaborations
United Nations
UN Women
Vital Voices
CARE international
Plan International
Women's Refugee Commission
TEDxBoston
WGBH
Tours & notable performances
2020 / 2021 - UpcomingVOICES - Take 6 & Women of the World
**presented by Ed Keane Associates, this new project will be announced for the first time at the 2019 Western Arts Alliance conference
Japan Tour
** June 2020
ASUKA II World Cruise
** June - Iceland to NYC residency
European Tour (Spain, Italy, Russia & Germany)
** April & May by Livekonzepte Michael Köstner - Eventagentur - dates & venues TBD
A CAPPELLA LIVE! - American tour
** January to April by Columbia Artists - dates & information https://bit.ly/2KFu5ob
2019
Italy, Venice tour (October)
Newport Jazz Festival - (August 2nd)
Russia Acappella Festival (May)
German tour - under Livekonzepte Michael Köstner - Eventagentur (May)
China tour - under Knudsen Productions (March)
Japan - Utagoe Festival - Todoroki Arena (6,500 seats sold out), Kawasaki, Japan (January)
- 4 brunch residencies and 2 evening performances at the Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
- 2018 August - 5 city tour and workshops series in India (Sold out venues across the country)
- 2018 - Vocal Asia Festival in Taiwan - Invited as Clinicians and Headliners
- 2016 - 19 USA Tours - under Knudsen Productions
- 2012 - 2019 Japan Tours (4 total) - under Tokyo Ro-On Productions
- 2015 - 16 "Parallel Lives: Billie Holiday & Edith Piaf" created /presented by Nona Hendryx - Joe’s Pub / HarlemStage, NYC
- June 26, 2014 - UN Women "Beijing+20" The Apollo Theatre, Harlem, NYC
- June 17, 2014 - Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC
- April 2014 - Featured ‘Master Class’ coaches on WGBH Sing That Thing
- 2013 Mario Frangoulis' USA Tour
- June 12, 2012 - Boston Symphony Hall, in support of Mario Frangoulis / PBS documentary and concert with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart
Women of the World © 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
